Eaton named USATF Athlete of the Week

6/27/2012

INDIANAPOLIS - Ashton Eaton has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after setting the world record in the decathlon at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field, Saturday in Eugene, Ore.

The Oregon graduate scored 9,039 points to break the previous record of 9,026 points set by the Czech Republic’s Roman Sebrle in 2001. Eaton needed to post a time better than 4:16.23 in the 1500m to capture the world record.

“I felt in the moment,” Eaton said in a post-event press conference. “I knew there was maybe not another opportunity to make this count.”

Lifted by the cheers of 21,795 fans who set an attendance record at Hayward Field, Eaton crossed the line in 4:14.48 as Curtis Beach waved him through to the line.

“I am a big believer in the Hayward Magic,” Eaton said. “At 600 meters I knew there was no way I wasn’t going to get the record. I love them [the fans], I love this field and it’s special for it to happen here.”

In the crowd were former record holders Bruce Jenner and Dan O’Brien, who greeted Eaton at the finish line. This was the fifth time an American set a decathlon world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Jenner being the last to accomplish it in 1976.

“It is a representation of all the work I have put in, but also my friends, family support and staff have put in,” Eaton said. “There is not much I can say.”

En route to Eaton’s world record, he also set two individual event decathlon world records. In the first event of the competition, Eaton jetted to a speedy 10.21 the 100m to set his first record. He then went on to jump 8.23m/27-0 in the long jump to add his name to the record books once again.